West Africa
Many West African kids can’t go to school because they live in poverty. Some of them have to go to work to help their families. A lot of girls help around the house because their parents can’t afford to send them to school.
Why Are More Boys in School?
- Girls are often forced to leave school to look after their younger brothers and sisters or do household chores.
- In families where a parent or grandparent is sick, it’s a girl’s job to take care of them.
- A lot of girls feel uncomfortable going to school because some school buildings don’t have proper bathrooms.
- Girls aren’t as valued as boys, so if a family has to choose between sending a son or a daughter to school, they will usually choose a son.
War and Education
During the war in Sierra Leone, the rebels burned down a lot of our schools. This means that today, even if there is a school to go to, it’s in bad shape. A lot of schools in West Africa are like this. Some don’t have roofs, windows, doors or even walls. It’s hard for kids to learn in schools like this—I know, because I used to go to one of them.
West Africa Education Facts
- West Africa has one of the lowest school attendance rates in the world.
- In Sierra Leone, fewer than half of kids are in school.
- Less than one-quarter of university students in West Africa are women.
Thankfully, young people around the world are working together with us to build better schools. Today I go to a good school like one of these. I have my own desk, we have paper and pencils and there’s a roof so the rain can’t come in when we’re trying to study.
When the Millennium Development Goals for education are met, I hope that all my friends will get to go to a great school, just like me.
h2. Mary’s Story
Featured Story:
Mary's Story
Mary survives the war in Sierra Leone.